Developing anti-inflammatory strategies in CGD
Professor Luigina Romani and Dr Silvia Bozza
Department of Experimental Medicine and Biochemical Sciences, University of Perugia, Italy.
This one–year project aims to find ways of dampening down the inflammatory response that exacerbates the problem caused by Aspergillus infections. The researchers will test a drug that may be capable of regulating inflammation by affecting the activity of certain immune cells and determine if this drug will protect against Aspergillus infections in models of CGD by binding and neutralising fungal pathogens.
Building up defences to Aspergillus infections in CGD
Professor Judith Rhodes and Dr Jarrod Fortwendel
University of Cincinnati, Ohio, USA.
Invasive infections caused by Aspergillus are a major problem in CGD, especially those caused by the species called Aspergillus fumigatus. Researchers at the University of Cincinnati are concentrating their work on a mutant of A. fumigatus that seems to be unable to kill mice with chronic granulomatous disorder. This is interesting because, although the mice cannot kill an environmental version of this fungus, they are able to kill the mutated form. ‘This small bit of data implies that the molecular pathways that are affected in the mutant must control aspects of the organism that are important for causing disease in mice affected by CGD” says Professor Rhodes, who leads the investigation. “We want to understand what is special about this mutant and the way it interacts with the CGD immune system. Building on this important finding we aim to test more mutant strains to define which parts of a specific pathway important for the virulence of Aspergillus are affected. We will then go on to determine the mechanisms by which killing of the fungus is achieved and by this we hope to develop agents that could regulate mechanisms of killing so that fungal infections can be better treated in CGD patients’. The group are renown for their work on Aspergillus and the Trust is investing $68,000 over one year to support a talented young researcher on this project.
Development of a vaccine against fungal infections
Dr Brahm Segal
Departments of Medicine and Immunology Roswell Park Cancer Institute, Buffalo,
New York. £97, 248 over two years.
Infection caused by the fungi Aspergillus is a serious cause of illness
and mortality in individuals with Chronic Granulomatous Disorder (CGD) and
in many other diseases affecting the immune system. The project will help
work out key steps in the development of a vaccine against fight fungal infections
caused by Aspergillus. Such a vaccine would give vulnerable individuals long-lasting
protection and would have a significant impact on the quality of life and
survival of many numbers of people.
Ph. D Studentship
DEVELOPMENT OF A MODEL TO UNDERSTAND CHRONIC ASPERGILLOSIS IN CGD
£72,000 over three years, CGD Research Trust grant, started in 2004
The work will find out more about how the healthy immune system clears Aspergillus lung infections and how and why the response of CGD patients differs from this and causes severe problems. Using this approach it may be possible to develop immunological treatments that boost CGD patients’ immunity to Aspergillus infection. It is hoped these treatments would complement currently available anti-fungal drug treatments and give CGD sufferers the chance of a better quality of life and the future possibility of undergoing a completely curative treatment by either bone marrow transplantation or gene therapy. This project has already identified some key differences in gene marker expression in response to Aspergillus fungi between healthy and the immuno-compromised state where disease develops. Suzy Turnbull, our Ph.D. student, presented this work at the international conference ‘Advances Against Aspergillosis’ held in Athens in February this year and won one, of only two, Young Investigators Awards. It is envisaged that the genes identified could lead to new avenues of drug design and treatment of Aspergillosis.
IMPORTANT NOTE :
The information contained on this website is intended only as a guideline, not as a substitute for medical advice. Always consult your doctor if you or your child has any CGD symptoms or concerns.
© 2001-2005 The Chronic Granulomatous Disorder (CGD)
Research Trust
Registered Charity No. 1003425 email:cgd@cgdrt.co.uk
The CGD Research Trust is a member of the Association of Medical Research Charities (AMRC), the Genetic Interest Group (GiG) and an associate member of the International Patient Organisation of Primary Immunodeficiencies (IPOPI)
Terms and Conditions | Privacy
